In one home, we see a five-year-old child, eyes fixed on a small screen, fingers rapidly scrolling through short clips. In contrast, we notice that the same child no longer runs, shouts, asks to play outside, or makes a mess. He is quiet—too quiet.
In the neighboring house, a teenager closes his bedroom door, puts on headphones, and dives for hours into a virtual world. The family assumes he is safe inside his room, yet he is exploring a world they barely know—one that is still shaping him.
This raises a pressing question: Are we facing a generation without childhood? Have screens stolen our children’s early years? How did children move so suddenly from playing in the street with friends to sitting silently, endlessly swiping?
Dr. Mahmoud Hassan, Professor of Software Engineering, explains the traits of childhood before and after smart devices, why children are drawn to screens, and how excessive use may harm their development—along with practical solutions.
Childhood Just a Few Years Ago
Childhood once meant:
Riding bicycles in the street
Playing soccer in the neighborhood
Jumping on sidewalks
Small arguments that ended in laughter
Today, childhood often means:
A phone in hand
A tablet on the table
Endless short videos
Digital games without time limits
The transformation happened faster than we could comprehend. Screens are no longer just entertainment; they have become a silent caregiver, a constant companion, a refuge from boredom, and sometimes a substitute for family conversation.
Why Are Children So Drawn to Screens?
It is no coincidence. Apps and games are carefully designed to attract young brains through:
Bright colors
Stimulating sounds
Instant rewards
Short, curiosity-triggering clips
A child’s brain naturally seeks quick pleasure and excitement. With every swipe, the brain releases dopamine—the “reward chemical.” Over time, what begins as simple enjoyment can turn into a constant need.
What Happens Inside the Brain?
Scientifically, excessive screen time may affect:
Attention and concentration
Language skills
Emotional regulation
Patience
The brain becomes accustomed to speed, making slower activities feel boring. A child used to ultra-fast content may struggle to:
Listen to long explanations
Read stories
Wait patiently
Play games that require imagination and time
Childhood Is Not Just Time—It’s a Full Sensory Experience
Healthy childhood requires:
Physical movement
Touch and sensory interaction
Social contact
Emotional expression
Trial and error
When children spend long hours in front of screens, they may lose:
Free play
Imagination
Physical exploration
Real-life problem-solving skills
Real play teaches children:
How to lose gracefully
How to wait their turn
How to negotiate respectfully
How to feel anger and calm down
Screens, however, provide a world controlled with a single tap.
Do Screens Really Destroy Childhood and Adolescence?
The answer is not an absolute “yes,” nor a reassuring “no.” The issue is not the existence of screens, but excessive use, lack of supervision, and absence of alternatives.
Some parents use phones as a constant calming tool—an instant solution for crying, the main reward system, or a daily distraction. Over time, this temporary solution becomes a lasting pattern.
Teenagers, too, experience digital isolation. They spend much of their lives on social platforms—through group games, chat rooms, filtered images, and curated identities. They are not just “online”; they are building their identities there.
The danger lies not only in content, but in:
Constant comparisons
Pressure to appear perfect
Cyberbullying
The need for validation
A teenager who spends hours online may appear socially connected but may actually be:
Less engaged in real-life relationships
More prone to anxiety
More sensitive to criticism
How Family Relationships Are Changing
In many homes, every family member holds a device. Conversations decrease. Eye contact fades. The family is physically present but emotionally absent.
A child who does not learn dialogue at home may learn it from a screen. The values we fail to plant may be shaped by unknown algorithms instead.
Warning Signs to Watch For
Intense anger when the phone is taken away
Loss of interest in traditional play
Sleep disturbances
Academic decline
Weak eye contact
Increasing isolation
Why Do We Allow Screens to Take Over?
Parents themselves are exhausted. Work is demanding. Life is stressful. The phone becomes a quick calming tool—a short break for the mother, a temporary fix for chaos.
But “temporary” sometimes turns into a permanent lifestyle.
Can Childhood Be Restored?
Yes—but not through sudden bans, punishment, or shouting.
The solution lies in gradual steps:
Setting clear boundaries
Creating real alternatives
Building consistent routines
How Do We Restore Balance?
Establish daily screen-free time (at least one hour)
Encourage play, conversation, storytelling, cooking together
Lead by example—children will not leave their phones if we don’t leave ours
Joy Exists Beyond the Screen
Teach children that:
Gardening is enjoyable
Drawing is enjoyable
Walking is enjoyable
Creating something with their hands is enjoyable
Replace accusations with dialogue. Ask:
What do you like about this game?
What makes you spend so much time on it?
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